VENUE for the International Union of Public Transport’s Asia Pacific-City Transport 98 event is the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Marking a strategic move by the UITP into the Asia-Pacific region, this conference and exhibition around the theme of Today’s Reality and Tomorrow’s Opportunities will give visitors the chance to experience one of the world’s densest and busiest public transport networks.
Many Asian cities share the problem of handling huge traffic flows, and both MTR Corp and Kowloon Canton Railway Corp offer delegates and exhibition visitors the opportunity to see efficient crowd handling at first hand. Many will wish to make acquaintance with the brand new Airport Railway before the event gets under way on October 19.
A series of technical visits has been scheduled for October 20 with the Grand Opening taking place on the next day. Conference sessions will cover integration policy, airport links, benchmarking, marketing and Hong Kong’s experience with smart cards. Developments in Singapore, China, Japan and Australia are all on the agenda for discussion before the closing session on October 23. Tour options continue on October 24.
Among exhibitors at the event are all four systems integrators: Adtranz, Alstom, Bombardier and Siemens. Rolling stock suppliers with stands include Australia’s A Goninan and CAF from Spain; the Japan Overseas Rolling Stock Association will also be present. Component specialists seeking business include door maker IFE, air-conditioning supplier Stone Iberica and transmission manufacturer Voith. Companies offering displays of the latest fare collection equipment include Klüssendorf from Germany, AES Prodata from Belgium and Switzerland’s Ascom Autelca.
Apart from local operators Hong Kong MTR and Kowloon Canton Railway, several railways are using this event to demonstrate their expertise:Teito Rapid Transit Authority from Tokyo, Paris Transport Authority, French National Railways, and their consultants Systra.
Other exhibitors who have registered for the UITP show include French track supplier Cogifer, Matra Transport, Syseca and Raba Magyar Vagon Es Gepgyar. The American Public Transport Association will also have a stand. o
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